Currently, the first state to sign the Constitution, the first state in the union, is the last state to have a national park. For over eight years, I have been working with federal officials, state officials, community leaders and activists to find a theme and a park that fits well within the small state of Delaware. The First State National Historical Park Act of 2011 will bring us one step closer to making a Delaware National Park a reality. 

Delaware may be small, but we have a great story to tell. Visitors far and wide will come to Delaware to hear our story in our national park. Many visitors will end up returning to their own homes with lasting memories – fond memories – of the “Small Wonder.” Memories of how our small state helped launch the most enduring experiment in democracy the world has ever known – the United States of America.  

Scope of the Project

The First State National Historical Park Act of 2011 would create a park celebrating early American Dutch, Swedish and English Settlements located throughout Delaware, as well as Delaware's role in the events leading up to the signing of our Constitution. The park will include sites and attractions in each of Delaware's three counties. Beyond the park boundaries, the legislation also allows the National Park Service to work with other historically significant sites in Delaware on materials, tours and other related items to help tell Delaware's story.  

National Park Service Study

In January 2009, one of the Bush Administration’s last acts was to finalize a National Park Service Special Resource Study concluding that a national park should be placed in Delaware. In the study, the National Park Service recommended a park celebrating Delaware’s early settlements and Delaware's importance in the founding of our country. If authorized, the park would be comprised of sites across the state that tie into that theme. In 2009, Department of Interior Secretary Salazar visited Old New Castle, Delaware, for a town hall meeting on the Delaware national park idea. He assured the crowd that he was supportive of a park in Delaware and would be working with Congress to bring it to fruition.  

Legislative Action

Last Congress, I introduced S.1801, the First State National Historical Park Act, which used a majority of the suggestions from the National Park Study to authorize a Delaware National Park. In May 2010, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a legislative hearing on the legislation. Based on input from the hearing, Senator Coons and I made slight changes to the legislation and introduced S.323, the First State National Historical Park Act of 2011, on February 10 2011. The legislation was referred to the committee of jurisdiction, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. On May 11, 2011, I testified before the Senate National Parks Subcommittee regarding S.323. On November 10, 2011, the Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved this legislation to authorize the creation of a national park in Delaware. Congressman Carney introduced a similar bill in the House of Representatives, and it has also been referred to the committee of jurisdiction, the House Natural Resources Committee. Once the Senate bill is approved by both the full Senate and House of Representatives, it will be sent to the President for his signature. Once signed by the President, the National Park Service will have the authority to establish a national park in Delaware.

Sites Authorized for the Park

The sites below will be authorized to be included in the Delaware First State National Historical Park. This means that the Secretary has been authorized to work with the State or any entity owning one of these sites to negotiate conditions of the site being included within the boundaries of the park.

New Castle County:

• The Old Sheriff's House
• Fort Christina National Historic Landmark
• Old Swedes Church National Historic Landmark
• Old New Castle Courthouse

Kent County:

• John Dickinson Plantation National Historic Landmark
• Dover Green

Sussex County:

• Ryves Holt House   

A site can be donated or sold to the National Park Service, or parties can negotiate a cooperative agreement. In a cooperative agreement, a site owner would still retain ownership but would come to resolution with the National Park Service regarding historical upkeep, management and public access. Authorization does not mean the site has to be included within the park; it just gives the National Park Service authority to negotiate sites now or into the future. The National Park Service is also allowed to work with sites in Delaware within the park’s theme, but not within the geographical boundary, to be included in national park materials, tours or other related areas.